Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) on the Future of Crypto Under Trump Administration

“It Felt Like the Boot Had Been Lifted”

Reflecting on the current mood in the industry, Armstrong described his recent experiences in Washington: 

“The energy was palpable, as you can imagine. We co-sponsored the crypto ball there and it was just an incredible event, tons of energy.” 

He acknowledged the challenges of the previous four years, citing “the lack of clear rules” as a major obstacle: 

“It felt like the boot had been lifted off our throat in a way.” 

Armstrong noted that the regulatory uncertainty under the prior administration had driven many crypto companies to relocate abroad in search of more stable frameworks.

Armstrong expressed optimism about the Trump administration’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. He stressed the importance of permanent, well-defined regulations to ensure that cryptocurrency policy doesn’t become a “political football” every election cycle. 

Coinbase CEO on the Future of Crypto Under Trump Administration | WSJ

He also praised the appointment of Paul Atkins as the new “pro-crypto” SEC Chairman and highlighted the involvement of White House “crypto czar” David Sacks as key steps toward fostering innovation and stability in the industry.

Collaborating with President Trump

When asked about Coinbase’s relationship with the new U.S. president, Brian Armstrong commented: 

“We want to work with anybody who’s in government. … In this administration, they seem to be very willing to meet with us and at least have a dialogue.” 

Armstrong acknowledged that regulators won’t always align with the crypto industry’s wishes but stressed the importance of building “a good partnership between public and private sector.”

Listing Trump’s Memecoin

When questioned about Coinbase’s plans to list the Trump token, Armstrong confirmed the coin would be added but offered a clear disclaimer: 

“You shouldn’t take any listing of a coin as an endorsement. We try to have listing standards that are a level playing field for all assets.” 

He emphasized that the market determines what gets traded. While some may doubt the legitimacy of meme coins, Armstrong noted that “crypto is going to be many different things.”

СЕО Brian Armstrong on Coinbase’s relationship with the Trump administratio.

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Brian Armstrong_Davos – The Coinomist

Alt: Highlight from Brian Armstrong’s appearance in Davos  – The Coinomist

Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) on the Future of Crypto Under Trump Administration – The Coinomist

Memecoins, Scams, and Innovation

Brian Armstrong characterizes Bitcoin as “the new gold standard” and sees stablecoins as a means to make global payments faster and more cost-efficient. 

He views memecoins as part of the broader crypto landscape, which also includes NFTs and ICOs. Armstrong reminded the audience that many early internet innovations once seemed frivolous. 

“A lot of innovation comes from play and experimentation,” he remarked, noting that 20% of today’s global GDP comes from e-commerce, a sector that began with “animated GIFs and cat photos.”

However, Armstrong acknowledged that “there are a lot of consumers that have been hurt in crypto,” particularly the harm caused to consumers by high-profile collapses such as the FTX bankruptcy. 

He called for Congress to establish clear cryptocurrency regulations, arguing that “the agencies … don’t have the motive to publish clear rules on their own.” Armstrong also emphasized Coinbase’s role as a “good actor” committed to cleaning up the industry.

Regulation for a Growing Industry

Discussing the challenges of cryptocurrency regulation in the U.S., including legislation on stablecoins and the classification of assets as commodities or securities, Brian Armstrong expressed confidence that progress could be made within the next six months: 

“For those of you who follow U.S. politics in the House of Representatives, we got a bill passed last year … it passed the House but it didn’t get through the Senate.”

Armstrong stressed the importance of clear token classification. If a group is raising money for a specific project, “that is a security.” However, if the project is “sufficiently decentralized,” it could be treated as a commodity.

He also advocated for stablecoin regulations with a “100% reserve requirement … pass an audit, periodically.” Armstrong believes such measures would safeguard the dollar’s position as the global reserve currency in the digital age.

Coinbase СЕО Brian Armstrong Discusses Crypto Regulation.

Source: Youtube 

Brian Armstrong_Davos – The Coinomist

Alt: Highlight from Brian Armstrong’s appearance in Davos 2 – The Coinomist

Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) on the Future of Crypto Under Trump Administration – The Coinomist

The Culture of Freedom

The conversation turned to the growing interest in cryptocurrencies, which has coincided with the U.S. presidential campaign. Brian Armstrong pointed to a “shift broadly toward freedom,” encompassing both freedom of speech and economic freedom.

Armstrong noted that many people are disillusioned with large government structures and are seeking more efficient systems. This push for greater personal control over wealth aligns closely with the core mission of the crypto industry.

He highlighted the growing pro-crypto movement, citing the Stand With Crypto initiative, which has amassed over two million supporters.

Armstrong also suggested that anti-crypto sentiment in Washington may have cost certain politicians valuable support, stating that “there’s a huge pro crypto voting block.”

While some regulators argue that strict policies protect people from making risky decisions, Armstrong disagreed, calling the approach flawed. 

“The best regulator sometimes is actually the free market,” he said, emphasizing that people often learn more effectively through personal experience.

Corporate Culture and Controversies

Brian Armstrong discussed Coinbase’s internal culture, referencing the company’s 2020 memo that drew widespread criticism. 

“We were prescient on that issue,” he said, describing Coinbase’s stance that employees should focus on the company’s mission rather than engaging in external social debates.

The controversy arose over the company’s response—or lack thereof—to the Black Lives Matter movement.

When hundreds of employees staged a walkout, Armstrong felt the company was veering off course. After consulting with board members, he reinforced Coinbase’s mission and insisted on keeping the focus on its core goals.

While some employees chose to leave, Armstrong emphasized that the remaining 90% of the team fully aligned with the leadership’s vision.

Despite accusations of racism from The New York Times, Armstrong believes that clearly defining Coinbase’s mission has ultimately made the company stronger in the long term.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong at WSJ Journal House, Davos.

Source: Youtube 

Brian Armstrong_Davos – The Coinomist

Alt: Highlight from Brian Armstrong’s appearance in Davos 3 – The Coinomist

Brian Armstrong (Coinbase) on the Future of Crypto Under Trump Administration – The Coinomist

The Purpose Behind Armstrong’s Interview: The Coinomist Perspective

Brian Armstrong’s main objective is to push for clear, practical legislation that enables cryptocurrency firms to operate seamlessly in the U.S. while fostering partnerships with traditional financial institutions. He envisions the White House’s backing as a catalyst for establishing the U.S. as a global leader in stablecoins and other critical areas of development.

Armstrong advocates for balanced regulation—one that shields the market from fraud while preserving space for innovation and creativity. 

“We really want crypto to update the financial system globally,” he stated, expressing confidence that the Trump administration provides an opportunity for the industry to achieve these goals.

Profile: Brian Armstrong, Co-Founder and CEO of Coinbase

Date of Birth: January 25, 1983

Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Computer Science, Rice University

Professional Background: Former software engineer (previously at Airbnb) and entrepreneur (co-founded UniversityTutor.com before launching Coinbase in 2012).

Key Achievements: Under Armstrong’s leadership, Coinbase has become the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., serving over 100 million verified users across more than 100 countries. In April 2021, Coinbase went public on NASDAQ via a direct listing under the ticker symbol COIN, reaching a valuation of approximately $100 billion.

Philanthropy: In 2018, Armstrong founded GiveCrypto.org, a nonprofit organization aimed at providing financial assistance to people worldwide through cryptocurrency. He also became the first cryptocurrency entrepreneur to join the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes.

Net Worth: As of January 20, 2025, Armstrong’s net worth is estimated at $12.8 billion, placing him 174th on the Forbes Billionaires List.

Related: Brian Armstrong: Loyal to His Woman and His Exchange